Japanese K Line Group to Study Feasibility of LNG Fuelled Ferry

K Line Kinkai and K Line have agreed to work on a joint study for newbuilding passenger ferry being fuelled by LNG, the two companies said September 6.

The scope of the study includes specifications, engine types and any related technical verifications for LNG handling.

K Line Kinkai said the recent collaboration with K Line will accelerate its studies into the introduction of an LNG-fuelled ferry, which would be Japan's first. K Line Group has also been studying the introduction of various types of LNG-fuelled vessels, including car carriers and tugboats, as well as an LNG supply business, the statement said. 

The K Line Group is promoting environmental measures based on the Environmental Vision 2050, its long-term environment management vision toward 2050.

Meanwhile, K Line September 1 held a naming ceremony for the newly-built LNG carrier at Sakaide Shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The new vessel was given her name Pacific Breeze. The vessel will be time-chartered by IT Marine Transport, a joint-venture company between Inpex Corporation and Total., and consigned to Taiwanese CPC and will be carrying LNG from the Ichthys LNG Project in Darwin, Australia to Taiwan.

Shardul Sharma